Seeing him lost in thought, Physician Li instructed: “Rest well and don’t think too much at such a young age.”
“This junior understands.”
Physician Li got up and went out, where Shao Mingyuan was waiting in the hall.
“Divine Physician, how is my brother-in-law?”
“Nothing serious. Just take him back and let him recuperate properly.”
“That’s good.” Shao Mingyuan visibly relaxed, unconsciously showing a smile at the corner of his mouth.
He was born with clear, handsome features and an upright character. His smile was like a clear breeze and a bright moon.
Physician Li saw this and hesitated before asking awkwardly: “Have you seen a doctor?”
“No, I didn’t know my brother-in-law’s health was so poor before. Fortunately, the Divine Physician was here.”
“Not that – I mean, have you seen a doctor?” Physician Li rolled his eyes.
This fool!
Shao Mingyuan was slightly stunned. After a moment of silence, he smiled: “I saw one when I was in the military camp.”
“What did the doctor say?”
“The doctor said he was powerless to help.”
“Then what are your plans?” Physician Li looked at Shao Mingyuan sideways.
Ask him! Properly beg him – if he was in a good mood, perhaps he would change his mind.
“For now, I can still endure it. If I have the fortune to encounter a famous physician who can dispel the cold poison, that would be best. If not, I won’t force it,” Shao Mingyuan said frankly.
Encounter a famous physician?
Physician Li’s mouth twitched.
Was this kid blind? What famous physician was more famous than him?
This was infuriating! Just because he said he would only treat one person, this kid didn’t know how to say a few soft words? Hmph, then he’d wait until he returned to discuss it – it wasn’t like he’d die anytime soon anyway!
“By the way, I plan to leave the capital. Qiao Mo’s facial burns are too severe – I need to go to the southern coast to gather medicine.”
Hearing Physician Li say this, Shao Mingyuan didn’t meddle and said straightforwardly: “Then I’ll arrange protection for the Divine Physician right away.”
Physician Li hated it most when others interfered with matters concerning medicine. Seeing Shao Mingyuan being so direct, he immediately found him more agreeable, thinking: Those who lead troops in battle indeed act decisively, unlike those civil officials and nobles who always fuss about trivial matters.
“This old man doesn’t want too many people following – too troublesome. How about this: let Ye Luo accompany me, plus one driver with good martial arts, good swimming skills, and a good temperament. These requirements aren’t too high, are they?”
“Not high… May I ask, Divine Physician, what does ‘good temperament’ mean?”
Good martial arts and swimming skills – these conditions were hard to find in the capital, but he had quite a few in his army. It was just this “good temperament” that he’d better clarify.
Physician Li stroked his beard: “Good temperament means – speak little, work much, when I point east, he can’t go west, and then not stand around like a wooden post like Ye Luo all the time.”
“Very well.” Shao Mingyuan smiled as he glanced at Ye Luo, who was closely following behind Physician Li.
Ye Luo looked aggrieved.
Generally, I don’t want to accompany this eccentric divine physician to the south!
“Ye Luo, you must protect the Divine Physician’s safety well in the future. Do you remember?”
The young general’s gaze swept over lightly. The small guard, full of grievances, immediately lowered his head: “Yes, please rest assured, General. This subordinate swears to protect the Divine Physician’s safety with his life!”
“Alright, alright, as if I’m going into a dragon’s den or tiger’s lair. Oh, right, I have one more thing to entrust to you.”
“Please speak, Divine Physician.”
“My adopted granddaughter – you know about her, right?”
Shao Mingyuan was slightly stunned as the image of a girl with a calm, gentle smile immediately floated into his mind.
He nodded: “I know.”
“I suppose you couldn’t have forgotten so quickly – you just had a meal at her residence recently.”
Ye Luo immediately pricked up his ears.
What? The General had eaten at the Divine Physician’s adopted granddaughter’s residence? When was this? How did he not know about it?
Shao Mingyuan was quite speechless.
Why did the Divine Physician’s words make it sound like he had specifically gone to someone’s house to freeload a meal?
“I don’t have any other requests. That girl has had a hard life. During the time this old man isn’t in the capital, could you help me look after her a bit?”
Look after?
Shao Mingyuan instinctively refused: “Men and women should maintain proper distance. Your granddaughter lives in the inner quarters of a large estate – I’m afraid I can’t be of much help.”
“I’m not asking you to marry her.” Physician Li rolled his eyes, but was quite satisfied with Shao Mingyuan’s self-discipline, which made him more at ease. “If you hear that she’s encountered some difficulty or is being bullied, just back her up – that’s enough.”
Shao Mingyuan hesitated for a moment before finally nodding: “Then I will certainly do my best.”
“Then this old man can rest assured. I’ll go back and pack up. When everything is ready, I’ll leave the capital directly. You don’t need to see me off then – if there are other matters, I’ll have someone inform you.”
“Good, then I’ll wish the Divine Physician a smooth journey and an early return to the capital.”
What Physician Li liked was precisely Shao Mingyuan’s straightforward nature without fussiness. Satisfied, he patted his shoulder and left through the medical hall’s back door with Ye Luo.
The common people watching the excitement in front of the medical hall gradually dispersed. Only a few passersby, curious about those imposing young men standing at the medical hall entrance, stopped to look. Seeing no activity after waiting a while, they continued on their way.
Only Qiao Zhao remained motionless, her gaze fixed on the medical hall’s main entrance.
Finally, she saw a bamboo-green two-person palanquin stop at the main entrance, blocking the view from outside.
Qiao Zhao didn’t hesitate and walked over. By the time she arrived, the bamboo-green palanquin had already been lifted.
The young general’s gaze looked over lightly, seeming surprised at the person appearing before him. His indifferent gaze turned gentle.
He nodded lightly as a greeting, signaled to start the palanquin, and followed alongside the bamboo-green sedan chair.
Those young guards standing at the medical hall entrance immediately closed ranks into formation, protecting both sides of the palanquin and Shao Mingyuan as they followed.
Qiao Zhao watched the gradually departing bamboo-green palanquin and that person’s upright figure, calling out: “General Shao.”
Shao Mingyuan’s steps paused. He signaled his guards to continue forward while he turned around, walked back a few steps, and stood before Qiao Zhao.
He was tall, and Qiao Zhao immediately felt that most of the light was blocked, having to lift her face to look at him.
Against the light, the person close to her was as pale as cold jade, and even his lip color was light.
Qiao Zhao unconsciously raised her eyebrows.
What had happened to Shao Mingyuan? His physical condition seemed increasingly worse.
“Miss Li, did you call me for something?”
The gentle voice pulled back Qiao Zhao’s attention.
“General Shao, is my adoptive grandfather in the medical hall?”
Shao Mingyuan understood, smiling lightly: “So Miss Li came to find the Divine Physician. However, the Divine Physician has already left through the medical hall’s back door.”
“Oh.” Qiao Zhao wasn’t surprised.
Given Grandpa Li’s nature of not wanting trouble, having finally escaped the prince’s residence and regained his freedom, how could he want to attract attention again? Naturally, he would keep as low a profile as possible.
Shao Mingyuan looked calmly at the girl close to him. Seeing her respond indifferently, unable to tell if she was disappointed, he didn’t know what else to say, so he said: “If Miss Li has no other business, then I’ll take my leave.”
Qiao Zhao looked up, seeming curious yet casual as she asked: “How is the patient?”